This is my new Hunter story, I hope you guys enjoy. This was inspired by Seyruun High Jinx, in which the characters of Slayers were placed as ordinary people in a high school setting, trying to form a band. It follows the plot of slayers consistently in an enormous stroke of creative genius which I am sadly unable to perform in this fic. However, I'll try my best to please all patient readers, so let the story go ahead!
Another note, this may also be seen as a massive crossover as some other anime characters will be making (quite a few) entrances. These will usually be quite well known anime, so please don't switch off.
I would REALLY appreciate comments (yes, even flames!) for this first chapter. I'm quite excited by this whole concept and would like to know if you people would like me to continue and what you think of the characters so far. So please review!
Okay, enough ranting. Onto the story!
Chapter 1
A Day at Hunter Works.
"Alright boys! That's great, we'll call it a day here." Cameraman April Foster said with much satisfaction from behind her camera, watching those winking red lights on her beloved machine switch off. The actors all stretched languidly, some stretching their mouths as far as possible for the maximum satisfying yawn.
"Did you manage to get the last shot with the skateboard/raft coming to a halt?" Director Silva Zoldick asked. He was dressed in his usual outfit of a dark blue polo shirt and golf pants April knew would cost her half her year's salary. She worked at getting the look of petty contempt out of her system and gave her best professional response.
"Yes director. The skid came out pretty impressive and managed to stop exactly where you had planned. I only hope that Hisoka-sama has come out of his shock."
"Why yes.he moved out of the way exactly on cue thank the lords. Otherwise we would have had to spend another hour in this damn studio. How was the lighting? That has been worrying me for some time now. Are the candles giving off sufficient light for the camera?"
April frowned slightly. "Well, since you insisted that the setting had to be as natural as possible without the interference of our usual spotlights, I say that everything can be considered adequate. But sometimes, people's faces are half hidden by shadows and the people in the far corners didn't come out so well. You could see that they were there, but only a vague outline with some murky colours."
Silva approached the camera and operated the machine with fluid ease. Both carefully watched the replay, and whilst April was in vehement disagreement with Director Silva over the use of candles, the white haired man seemed quite pleased. He nodded once, then with a wave of his hand gave permission for the actors to leave the studio.
"I think the atmosphere created was perfect, fitting especially well into the whole context in this part of the story. This tower is supposed to test the psychological strains and limits of the human mind, so the overall effect we want for the viewers is to put them at unease, on the edge so to speak. Don't you feel slightly agitated yourself, just watching the replay?"
April mumbled her agreements and soon found an excuse to release herself from the Director's overbearing presence. She was grateful that she could appear busy packing up the equipment and packing up the rails laid down on the ground used for the last shot. It was common for many people to wish to retain their distance from the subtly aggressive Director and President of Hunter Works, if not because his features were rigidly threatening or that his flowing mane of white hair gleamed like cold ice in the flickering candlelight that made people uneasy and nervous. No matter how Silva Zoldick approached you, whether with good or ill in his mind, he just had this 'presence' of foreboding and disturbance that made you feel stupid if you thought you could trust him. With the Director, it was best to be informally polite, agree with whatever he said (because most of the time he was right anyway), and find something to excuse yourself from him in preferably less than two minutes if you were lucky, five if you weren't. April felt some pride in the fact that she was able to slip away free in one minute twenty.
The actors all trudged out of the gloomy studio room into the brightly lit changing rooms which resembled more of those gym locker rooms with the rows of steel lockers and wooden benches down the isles. But everyone was too damn exhausted to make a fuss about their luxuries and immediately set their minds to change and leave. Only one person had the energy left to complain after a very long day of shooting.
"Remind me to tell dad not to ever come to this little miserable hellhole again. The ventilation system was so bad that half the time I could barely breathe." Killua complained with the airs of a spoilt brat. He received one of the leading roles on the simple basis that he was the favoured son of Silva Zoldick, President of Hunter Works. So Killua played the son of a master assassin, an assassin in training himself who left home because he got sick and tired of mindless killing and ended up at the Hunters Exam where he wanted to relieve himself of boredom. And so that's how the story of Hunter x Hunter began. If anyone could make any complaints without fear of retribution, it was Killua.
Hisoka, who was standing opposite Killua, retrieving his bag of clothing to change out of his aqua coloured clown costume, briefly glanced at the schedule in his hand without too much enthusiasm. In fact, his face was grim, and his mouth drawn into a tight, disapproving line mingled with distaste.
"After this marathon of shooting today, I don't think any of you ever have to come back, except I still have to do another short scene with Hanzo when we find someone to play Killua's big brother."
From two rows of lockers away, there was a groan of despair. Killua giggled.
"Hopefully that little five second scene will be over in five minutes. I swear the perpetual gloom and unease is starting to rub off my usual carefree and relaxed demeanor. Definitely not good." Hisoka muttered still looking at the schedule with a certain amount of dislike and shook his head slowly.
Hanzo came along to their little isle with his bag of clothes and threw of his ninja top with unexpected vitality. He pulled out a light brown, long sleeved top from his bag and pulled his arms through.
"You know what guys, I believe that I've been through something worse than this."
"Oh yeah?" Killua challenged. Gon, who had remained pretty quiet beside him, looked up in the middle of pulling up his socks.
"Yeah." Hanzo took up the challenge. "It was back at Reikai Production where I took up another small role as - "
"Yet another ninja." Came Hisoka's muffled voice as he pulled a dark blue v neck shirt over his head.
Hanzo glared at the magician's back but ignored that little comment and continued. "We had some pretty nasty shots taken through this wild and untamed jungle. You can't even believe the amount of leaches they had in that place. Kuwabara is so traumatized that he has vowed never to return to that place ever again. But it was inside Genkai's temple of utter darkness which was intimidating."
"Oh, I remember that!" Leorio came around from the other row to join them. He was already fully changed with his hair gelled and slicked back, very unlike his hairstyle in the shoot. A strong scent of cologne pervaded the air. "You guys had to fight in the utter dark right?"
"Oh yeah, have you any idea how nervous I was that day? And my opponent was dual wielding sharp knives too. Enma insisted that we didn't use stunt doubles and that we really put out minds to beating the crap out of each other. What a great piece of advice." The ninja smoothed out his top, but his voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"But what I seem to remember most distinctly was the way you lost so stupidly to Yuusuke. Did I fail to mention how foolish you looked when you figured out what had happened?" Everyone knew a taunt when they heard one, and Leorio always made sure everyone knew. Hanzo gritted his teeth and his face turned a bright beet red. His clenched fists shook, barely controlled by his side.
"That was part of the script, it was acting, get it!" he grated.
Leorio gave an easy, patronizing laugh. "Whatever you say Hanzo. Well guys, I'm off now. I'm going to fully enjoy my day off tomorrow, unless our illustrious director decides to spoil that, otherwise I'll be seeing you on Wednesday. Ja." Leorio raised a hand in mock salute as a parting gesture and strolled out of the studio humming a cheerful tune. When they heard the audible click of the doors shutting, Hanzo let loose a string of curses.
"Damn Leorio is so stuck up and arrogant. Who does he think he is." He fumed, punching out hard at one of the lockers and actually left a dent.
"Easy Hanzo," Hisoka candidly said and gave a small pat on Hanzo's shoulder. "he's one of the four main characters of Hunter x Hunter, that's why he gets to act like that. When you become a big star one day, you can afford to put on such airs. But until then it's no good getting yourself worked up about small people like him."
But Hanzo barely heard, his face still red from anger. He sat down with much frustration. "You know what? I should have never left Hokage Village. It was a bad choice to become a freelance actor. No one needs a ninja character these days and I can't do any other roles. I'll always be some minor character who has to tolerate jerks like Leorio. Make he be struck down by mumps." He spat out bitterly.
"Hey Hanzo, Hisoka! Why are you all still sitting here? It's time to head down to the pub and grab ourselves a nice, tall glass of cold frosty beer!" Kurapika's cheerful attitude was always welcome. "Lets go down to that western-styled pub just up the road. It would be a nice change."
"I want to come to!" Gon stood up, fully changed and ready to go. "You can't believe the incredible aches I've got in my shoulders after hacking that brick wall with an axe half my weight. I feel like something cold and refreshing too."
Kurapika, Hanzo and Hisoka looked back and forth at each other uneasily. They silently decided that Hisoka would be the one to dissuade the child out of coming along.
"Gon-kun, I don't think your manager would approve of us taking you to such places."
"My manager can use a plastic bag to cover her head! Awww.come one guys.take me with ya. If anything happens, I'll take all the blame."
"That's not the problem Gon. What happens if the press finds out that our underage actors are going into pubs?"
"Then it will generate more publicity for Hunter x Hunter." Killua interjected. "Gon, on behalf of my father, I give you full permission and approval to go with Kurapika. Enjoy yourself."
"Where are you going Killua? Aren't you coming with us?"
"Nah, go knock yourselves out. Like you said, I'm tired and sore from all those running and dodging scenes we did just then. Tompa nearly broke my back when he fell down that wall. What I really need is a long, hot bath with a hot chocolate sundae in my hand whilst I watch video clips of that Macross chick sing. Yes, that will be my perfect evening. I might give you a call later Gon, I'll see what happens."
Gon nodded and turned to Hisoka with a slightly devilish grin. "You heard what the Director said, so now lets go!"
The three adults rolled their eyes, but had no choice but to agree. Actor proposes, Director disposes.
The pub which Kurapika had described was truly quite Western. In fact, it was almost a replica of a saloon complete with swinging wooden doors at the entrance, an accordion piano in one corner of the room, a dozen round wooden tables ringed with chairs across the room, and a traditional bar table made of glossy oak. The fact was, the studio which Hanzo and all them had been shooting in today did not belong to Hunter Works. The Director had made a one day loan from Graude Foundation to use one of their studio for its unique darkness. It had also been used for the scene of the underworld in which Shiryuu was thrown into by Cancer Deathmask in the first Saint Seiya season, and had been used a few more times later afterwards in order to depict the land of shadows. Silva thought it was the perfect location to do the particular shootout that they did today for its oppressiveness could be felt by the actors the instance they entered the room.
Otherwise, Hunter actors hardly ventured near the west side of town where other studios such as Graude Foundation and Planet Gunsmoke were situated. It also made sense then they had not known about this bar.
Hisoka approached the bar and addressed the barkeeper tending to it. He was dressed in a dirty white shirt which almost appeared yellow with an old, black vest buttoned tightly over his bulging stomach. Across his neck slung a chain with a small silver pendant dangling, shaped and fashioned to mimic the skull of a desert animal. Very Western. "Just three of your specialty and a soft drink for the young kid there please."
"Gotcha. Three Blue Drowned Marys and coke coming right up."
"Blue Drowned Marys?" Hisoka said, quite fascinated by the unique name.
"You'll understand when you try it." The bartender winked at him as he turned his bag to mix the drinks.
Hisoka nodded slowly. "Riiiight." He said and unhurriedly walked back to his table. Gon's interest had been caught by two people sitting only three tables away from them and he was whispering excitedly to the group.
"That's Vash the Stampede over there! Along with Nicholas Wolfwood! Oh my god.I can't believe that they are here too."
"But of course, Gon." Hanzo craned his neck to get a better look at the rowdy pair sitting not so far away. "Planet Gunsmoke is only around the corner from here, so this is where they would usually hang out. Still, you shouldn't make such a big deal out of it. We see lots of stars and actors around our side of town, and remember, you're going to be a big star pretty soon, might as well start on that composure of yours."
"No way!" Gon exclaimed. "Not with Vash the Stampede! He is like one of my greatest heroes since Trigun was ever shown on screen. As you have failed to observe, I fashion my hairstyle so that it's similar to his. See?" Gon pointed as his own spiky hair, and the three adults could only nod in agreement. "I can't believe I'm in the same bar as Vash on a Monday night! Wait till Killua hears about this."
"You might need some proof. Why don't you go up to him and get an autograph then?" Kurapika said. Gon gave this serious thought.
The bartender approached them with their drinks on the silver platter. He placed in front of them three tall drinks coloured an electric blue with the same amount of fizz as well. Hisoka found himself mesmerized by the sheer colour of he beverage and didn't realize that he was holding his breath.
"Feel like you're drowning?"
Hisoka blinked at the Bartender and let out an explosive sigh. "Slightly, yes."
"Now you know why we called it that." He smiled.
"But are you sure this stuff is.drinkable?" Hanzo studied his glass dubiously. Kurapika looked like he was not going anywhere near it.
"Yes, yes." The bartender said with too much enthusiasm for people's liking. "You'll actually feel the reverse and opposite effects of the name. You'll feel alive like you've never imagined, an electricity jolting inside you to give you that extra spark of life and feel your blood racing down each vein and capillary."
Hanzo glared suspiciously at the bartender. "Are there drugs in the drinks then?"
The angry bartender, accused of spiking the drinks, tried to keep his face as relaxed and calm as possible under the interrogatory glares. "Of course not," he managed to say through clenched teeth "it's just my very special mix. If it had drugs in there, my bar would close down in no time."
"Okay, okay, we believe you. Hisoka, drink down that stuff." Kurapika ordered.
Hisoka gave them all a pained look but spared them from his whinges, so instead he bravely lifted the tall glass to his lips. As he was about to take the first sip, a high pitched scream pricked their ears and caught their full attention.
Vash and Nicholas were immediately alert glancing frantically to and fro. They recognized the owner of the voice and were worried. Meryl Strife, their faithful co-star, usually didn't find the need to scream with her huge friend beside her to protect and look after her. But they all knew what was happening tonight. Everyone in Planet Gunsmoke knew, and most were wary and cautious, if not unimpressed. The greatest philanderer of all time, the Casanova in the acting industry, Darien von Drosgon from Serenity Pictures, was out on the prowl around the western studios and had asked Meryl Strife out on a date.
At first, Meryl wasn't sure if she was suspicious, repulsed or impressed. Either way, seeing a perfectly healthy male and an uneventful Monday night gaping on her schedule, she couldn't find a reasonable excuse to say 'no'. Despite the rumors. And the tabloid news sheets. And the gossips. And the fact that her friend Millie almost tore his head off when he approached her younger sister. And.Well, you don't actually think all that logically when a handsome man with a charming smile was standing right in front of you with seemingly genuine intentions of having a good night out.
Only that the night had taken a turn for the worse.
Darien had taken her to the most exclusive restaurant in the town, a large hotel complex owned and operated by Lord Hades. It had many ballrooms where formal functions took place, enough nightclubs to sate your wildest party animal, and the most elegant dining hall she had ever seen - The Elysium.
But she should have known better. Straight off after dinner, Darien bluntly suggested that they go to a seedy bar, get drunk and hop into bed together. At that point, she rejected him outright being overwhelmed with so much disgust that she felt dirty. She then began to walk quickly away in any direction, realizing that the Texan Shootout pub near Planet Gunsmoke was nearby. She knew the bartender well and had hoped he would give her asylum from the rather angry male behind her.
She was well aware that Darien was infuriated at having his request downright rejected, stepped on, then pissed on by a dog for good measure. She heard his angry steps behind her and suddenly felt a painful grip on her elbow.
"Let go you jerk! The evening's over!" she growled, viciously trying to reclaim her arm.
His former calm and pleasant demeanor had rapidly faded to one of ugly fury. "I think NOT, little lady." He hissed in her face, and she thought crazily for just one moment how repulsive his breath smelt. "You're getting into my car this instant."
"Like hell I am!" her arm finally freed itself from the iron grip and without thinking she turned to run. The pub's sign was in sight and relief flooded through her heart. But before she could reach her sanctuary, she felt a stunning blow to her back, and before she knew it, she was pinned on the ground in the middle of the streets with Darien straddling her, his face red with intense fury. His first punch bought the first scream and she made sure she screamed loudly.
Vash and Wolfwood leapt from their chairs and made a hurried and frantic dash for the swinging wooden doors. Intrigued, Gon followed with his friends closely behind.
"All right you piece of scum! Get off her!" Vash raged and charged, throwing himself onto the Darien and both went rolling in the streets. Vash ended up on top and murder was clearly written on his face. He rolled up his sleeves and clenched his fists. Whilst Vash busied himself ruining Darien's perfect face, Wolfwood helped the terribly upset Meryl Strife onto her dainty feet. She rubbed angrily at her reddened and bruised cheek with undisguised hate in her eyes. She hugged herself tightly, despite Nicholas' reassuring arm around her slim shoulders. He could feel her small body shaking underneath.
"You really give credit to your name, Strife. Whatever you do, you just manage to bring strife about." He said jokingly in hopes of cheering her up. It did bring up a small smile and a thought came to her head. She walked up to Vash, who was bent over, still busy imprinting his fist mark into Darien's not-so-perfect face.
"Vash" she said sweetly "I think you better stop now."
"Oh?" the blond gunman turned around to look at her, a bit surprised.
"I have a better idea." And she leant forward and spoke softly so that only the three of them could hear her. Nicholas shrugged at the onlookers with casual ease but wondered what Meryl could be up to.
Fear crept into Darien's expression. "You.can't be serious." He croaked. Meryl's eyes were now wide with feigned innocence, the torrents of anger only thinly disguised. She spoke with a malicious vengeance.
"Oh, but you ARE going to agree. It's either that, or Vash immediately drags you to the nearest police station and have them charge you with attempted rape. That carries a four year jail term you know."
"Yeah, and a lot of people can testify as to what happened!" Vash growled, giving Darien's expensive Armani shirt a good tug and violent shake.
They took Darien's silence as submission and Meryl carried out her plan.
Hanzo firmly gripped Gon by the shoulders and sternly led him away from the scene.
"Hanzo! What are you doing! I want to see!"
"No Gon, I think we'd be best not to get involved. The papparazi will be here very soon." Hisoka nervously glanced around them as if they were being hunted already. "If we do appear in the papers and magazines tomorrow for the wrong reasons, the Director could be very angry."
Gon accepted the magician's logic, though he didn't know why the press would be coming, only that Hanzo murmured something about 'karma' and retribution and Kurapika told him to sate his curiosity until the morning and all will be revealed.
"When you're old enough Gon, we'll explain to you what the informal code of duello between actors *really* means." Hisoka muttered and got them a cab to take them back to the northern part of the city.
Tuesday Morning, six am.
Gon entered Hunter Works studios bright and early, knowing that Hisoka was also an early arriver. He passed through the sliding glass doors at reception; past the always genki receptionist (even in early mornings, without the aid of coffee); padded silently down corridors laid with thick crimson and gold velvet carpet and slammed his hand on the elevator button. His foot tapped impatiently as he waited, then when the elevator finally arrived, he punched in the number five to get to the main studio where he would have to fight Hisoka today.
He stepped out at level five and used all his strength to push against the heavy metal double doors. The studio on level five was massive, its ceilings were lined with bright spotlights, a square arena constructed of heavy grey stone lay ghostly silent in the center of the room and empty spectator stands on all sides of the studio would soon be filled with cheap extras, common people who would grasp at any chance just to be on television.
He made sure that he didn't trip over the heavy ropes of cable and wire, saw April grumble away in the early mornings as usual and finally spotted Hisoka and Hanzo chatting quietly in the front row of the spectator stands to the left. Wing was leaning curiously over the both of them, studying the newspaper which Hisoka held through his thick rimmed glasses.
"Ohayo Gon! Come on, lets dig into this juicy gossip together!" Hanzo waved his set of mags and tabloids in the air with a very wicked and mischievous grin plastered on his face. Gon was glad. At least Hanzo had forgotten about those nasty things that Leorio had said to him last night when they had finished the shootout.
"You know Hanzo, your appetite for rumors and scandals could rival the average housewife." April scowled from behind her contraptions, but Hanzo merely continued to grin.
"It's what sustains us all and gives us a spark in the world we live in." he answered rhetorically, but then giggled uncontrollably, infecting Wing as well.
The bald ninja handed the young star his share of the newspaper and pointed to the big black headlines which made Gon's eyes as large as dish saucers. It read:
Indecent Exposure - Heart throb arrested and detained>>
'Last night at around 11pm, star actor from Serenity Pictures - Darien von Drosgen - was arrested by police for the charges of being drunk in a public place and indecent exposure. Witnesses say that after spending an hour heavily drinking at Western Shootout, a pub located in the city's west, the actor stripped and began his 'joy run' down the main street. He was seen flashing a 'moonie' in front of the Mayor's office, streaked through a seven eleven store, then burst into a function held by teachers and parents at the local school. He did not resist arrest and was firmly led to...'
Gon's eyes skipped the rest of the text and couldn't believe the picture. Darien von Drosgen, a.k.a the infamous and adored Tuxedo Mask of Serenity Pictures had his hands raised in the air as the police closed in with capsicum spray. His private parts were clearly blurred. But the photographer should definitely get a raise, he thought. The picture perfectly captured the humiliation and shame in Darien and judging by the triumphant tone that Hanzo now spoke in, he probably deserved every scrap of it.
"She's one tough girl." Hanzo continued, looking through other similar pictures with admiration. "To come up with something like that on the spur of the moment."
"After what he did, I would demand nothing less." Wing quietly spoke. "But if it was either this or going to jail...well...Come to think of it, I think it's a hard choice."
"I think she originally wanted to hang him up naked on a lamp post. But then, it would probably have been too suspicious so they made him streak. What a pure act of vengeance!" Hisoka said with much admired approval. His lips were turned up slightly in a cruel smirk. "I certainly hope that the little sniveling worm doesn't stick his head inside these builders for a while after this."
Hanzo retrieved a pair of scissors and began to cut down the articles. "If I were him, I'd lock myself in a room and never come out. Now Gon, you should probably do something like this too - collect all the memorable things that have happened. Remember, we were there too when they negotiated this 'agreement'."
"Look at his face..it's completely screwed up too." Wing adjusted his glasses and turned to another page. "I always knew that Vash had it in him to launch a good punch."
"Too bad Killua missed this. I've got to tell him what really happened last night."
"Good." The three adults said simultaneously. April sighed audibly from the other side of the studio.
"The more people who know the better. We," Hanzo held his head up triumphantly "are about to spread a vicious rumor. Oooh..we might even just ruin Darien's image and reputation with this.can you taste it guys? How lovely is this bittersweet taste of vengeance for all those dirty looks and nasty remarks that prick hath bestowed upon us since Hunter began production!."
Hisoka rolled his eyes, but he was still amused, and Wing was grinning a little too evilly for Gon's liking. April stalked up to them, her boots ringing loudly against the cold concrete floor, her eyes flat and uncompromising.
"Ok, *ladies*" she drawled sardonically "can all the irrelevant people not in this scene leave" she looked steadily in Hanzo's direction "and the rest of you who are relevant please go get your costumes and makeup done before our Director arrives early as usual?"
Gon gulped and made a run, followed by Wing and Hisoka who were both laughing easily. Hanzo continued to smile inanely at April, busy cutting out the newspaper clippings. Nothing could ruin his good mood today.
Inside the shared change room, Wing changed out of his morning jogging sweater and put on the plain long sleeved blue shirt that his character wore. He snickered at Gon who looked might uncomfortable as he emerged from the dressing room, draped in the green outfit.
"I swear these pants suck." He grunted tugging at them. "They're too short and too stiff.not to mention...Urgh...wedgie." he picked at the uncomfortable clothing with a dark look and almost groaned aloud when he saw his manager Mito fervently looking all over for him over the racks and racks of brightly coloured clothing.
"Gon! What are you doing? Here, lets go through your lines again before Mr. Zoldick arrives."
Gon stole one last glance at Wing and Hisoka and gave them a mournful look before he was sternly steered away to an isolated corner to learn his lines.
"I really should be the one complaining." Hisoka looked at his immaculate reflection in the window and took a large scoop of the toughest, strongest gel out and began to fashion his hair, daring to make it defy gravity. He liked the soft yellow lightbulbs which framed the large mirror in front of him and gave him an ethereal, mystical look. "At least he doesn't have to sprint in high heels. I don't know how women slip into these ridiculous pieces of torturing equipment everyday." He stopped grooming his dark red hair and bobbed his head down under his dressing table and re-emerged, dangling a pair of shoes. "Would you look at the width of these stupid things!" he exclaimed. "It's like.three fingers wide! I'll be limping by the end of the day, I just know it!"
Wing couldn't help laughing out loud at his unfortunate co-star's predicament. He ignored Hisoka's darkly threatening look and felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. He regarded Hisoka's costume with much amusement but was wise enough to keep it to himself. But the magician knew what he was looking at and knew what he thought, and that only bought my laughter.
"This is going to ruin me. I'm never going to have a collective fan base looking like this." He muttered bitterly, returning to his reflection in the mirror and bought up a big fluffy powder puff and started to apply the foundation.
Wing silently watched Hisoka busy himself with his appearance for a while, humming quietly. "It's going to be a long day again. And then you'll have to have another break to apply the cuts and bruises to your face after lunch."
Hisoka suddenly groaned out loud and his forehead connected with a resounding thump on the dressing table. Wing also fell off his seat and crashed loudly onto the floor.
When staff came around to see what was wrong, they found Wing curled tightly into a ball, shaking violently from hysterics, almost unable to breathe, and Hisoka, barely conscious, despair clear for all to see as he babbled incoherently about the meaning of life.
Schedule was thus delayed for an hour whilst the two actors recovered.
Mito, satisfied that Gon was properly groomed, finally left the building and Gon let loose a sigh of relief. He saw Machi entering the studio just as his manager left, and as always, Machi was fashionably late.
Only that she was surprised she didn't get told off for it today.
"Oh, it's nothing really. Hisoka and Wing are just slightly indisposed right now. Wing was last seen hyperventilating and Hisoka had triple vision. All I heard was a loud bang and crash."
Machi shook her head, her purple hair swishing side to side, and tsked in disapproval. "Trust Hisoka to cause a scene. Speaking about scenes however," her voice curled up in relish "I gather you've already seen the tabloid news sheets already?" she asked with a certain amount of relish.
Gon's smile broadened impossibly, and he proceeded to recount the *exact* account of events that went on last night. Machi leaned close to listen, a wicked smile on her face, very interested indeed.
The extras slowly filed into the large studio wearing brightly coloured clothes as was instructed. A low murmur of excitement was already starting to stir, and more staff milled around handing confetti, banners and an assortment of hand held foods and large drinks. Other assistant directors orchestrated sectors of the audience and gave simple instructions - when to cheer, when to create a tense silence, when to shout and stomp. The fight commentator adjusted her spiky brown pig tails and was discussing her script lines with the Director. Her words were accompanied with vivid hand actions, looking at Silva now and then for approval. He merely nodded in some instances, narrowed his eyes and shook his head at gestures that he thought were too outlandish, and this little interaction was over in four minutes.
April tried to hide her grin. Yet another conversation which lasted less than five minutes. Uh-oh, was that the Director starting to walk in her direction? Best to look so busy that she couldn't spare two minutes. She ducked down behind her beloved machines and quickly ripped out the many cables out of their sockets gleefully. Yes...just to reconnect the mess would take at least fifteen minutes, and if she just jumbled up these leads here.
"April, may I have a word with you?"
"Um, Director, I've still got to finish off these connections. We've only got another ten minutes before schedule starts." Secretly, she was throwing confetti in joy.
"That's what I was about to tell you." He said evenly with no trace of emotion. "Hisoka is out cold and Wing currently needs an oxygen mask. Schedule's been pushed back an hour, so I want to discuss some angle shots with you. We might also do some of the crowd scenes and the commentary first and see if we can get them out of the way. I don't want to hold up these extras for long, every hours costs me money."
'Maybe if you cut back on the amount of expensive clothing, you may be able to afford me a raise' April seethed silently. She stood up, face carefully blank and devoid of emotion and forced herself to concentrate on the Director's low and slightly husky voice. But with all the extras on the set and her curiosity over what happened to Hisoka and Wing made her extremely curious, so that she couldn't properly focus.
"...repeat shots especially at the beginning of the fight where Gon launches into many attacks against Hisoka. I want at least 3 perspectives so we can edit as we please later." blah blah blah. How could the Director seem so impervious to everything around him? Was he not even the least bit curious about last night's events either? He definitely didn't sound like it. The only emotion she ever saw from him was probably slight anger, a fearful and gruesome unsettling feeling which stirred in the depths of your heart. Everyone gave him plenty of space that day when a dark scowl hung on his brow and April shuddered at the mere thought. Otherwise, he was dry and stoic, straight to business and nothing but business.
"Since Hisoka and Wing are incapacitated right now, you could get your crew started on those crowd scenes. The fight commentator is also ready. She's got all her lines and gestured memorized impeccably. Perhaps you could quickly finish plugging those cables back in and start the film rolling."
April hoped the Director hadn't seen her ripping out the leads but his tone and words were anonymous of his feelings. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she ducked down and with lightening deftness and was finished in two minutes. By the time she raised her head, Silva was at the far side of the room already. She let out a sigh of relief.
"All right Toby. Lets get the cameras started. You can take charge of the commentator today."
Toby was a young apprentice in training. He was tall and slender with a mop of light, messy, chocolate brown hair that looked like it had never been brushed. He face was just as delicate, but framed a pair of owlish blue eyes. He wore a casual white T-shirt bearing the official Hunter Words logo and a pair of dirty jeans that had been worn long past their expiration date. Still, he had an amazing grasp of space perception and most importantly of all, the Director was satisfied with his work.
Toby was good to work with. He had a pleasant smile, a smooth flowing voice and graceful movements which reminded April of her tabby cat. When he heard that he could do the particularly important shots of the commentator, his face lit up considerably brightly and his eyes brimmed with gratefulness. Without further instructions he had already begun to wheel his great black machine over to the commentator's box.
"April! Crowd A here is ready to shoot! You done?" April pushed a hand through her hastily brushed brown hair and felt as if a bucket of ice cold water had poured over her. Director was raising his voice at her. That was a bad sign. Any louder and he would be angry. Anger is no good. Anger from Director meant salary cut. Anger could also mean no job. Anger could spell doom. Frantically, she realized that her mind was babbling incoherently and she found it very difficult to reign those thoughts under tight control. "April?" the prompt came. April pushed against her camera with almost hysterical desperation. If there was annoyance in Silva Zoldick's voice, she magnificently ignored it and just focused on what she had to do. In the back of her mind, a crazy voice resounded the same phrase over and over again - "you don't want to go back *there* do you?
Killua had received message straight away about what had happened to Hisoka and Wing at the dressing room, so he took his sweet time to get dressed and ready. Studying his immaculate image in the full length mirror in the inside of his wardrobe door, he nodded with much approval. He was everything that Killua Zoldick is supposed to be in Hunter x Hunter. Smart, sharp, dressed fashionably, carrying a cool air of confidence. Correction. He was a predator who stalked the world of prey, so we are talking about *supreme* confidence because not much in Hunter x Hunter could stand up to him. As was the situation at the studios.
His father was known as the cold Director whose callous image could not be disturbed. At first Killua didn't know if he really wanted the other actors to know his true identity in case they ostracized him and looked down on him as another tag along who only got what he had in life because of his father. But his identity quickly fell through, if only because there were only two albinos in the building and his gracious father announced his sir name without hesitation on the first day of production.
However, since Silva was such a feared and respected character, the other actors were always courteous and polite with him, shared the odd joke here and there and included him in their nights out. That wasn't bad, for the son of a filthily rich family, most likely to inherit. Unlike Kuroro von Drosgen, the Genei Ryodan Dancho who was often seen brooding wherever he walked, Killua considered himself quite happy and free of troublesome worries, and that was an accomplishment indeed.
Satisfied with his image, he went downstairs to the breakfast room and found one of the housemaids ready to serve his meal. The daily newspaper lay neatly folded in front of his usual seat and he picked it up enthusiastically to scour for gossip and rumors. Preferably of break ups. He liked those the best, especially the way the couples fought and argued over the press, spitting nasty remarks back and forth about each other, spilling out each other's bad habits and as always, the man claimed that the baby was never his as his partner had been unfaithful. Killua didn't believe in the institution of marriage, and he certainly laughed at the idea of love. Although a mere twelve years old, he prided himself in the fact that he had a quite firm grasp of the harsh realities of the world around him, and knew that he was in a very privileged position.
But that had not always been the case. He clearly remember the day when his mother left them. He was four, and his younger brother Alluka was only a few months old and his dad was struggling with a job that didn't pay too well. But Silva fought for everything that he had, and since his wife left him, worked even harder to prove that he was not merely scum to be kicked around by corporate managers. He vowed to be one himself, and within three years of hard work, he managed to establish a chain of very successful Information agencies and constructed an army of consultants, then a year ago decided that he would have a crack at the lucrative film industry. That's how Hunter Works sprang into existence.
Killua sometimes would wonder where his ungrateful mother could be. She had abandoned the family when they most needed her support in her own selfish pursuit of happiness. His eyes narrowed and his mood suddenly took a dark turn. She had better pray that she never crossed his path again, because he certainly wouldn't forgive her. Wouldn't forgive those long nights of loneliness that he spent with just his little brother when his father had to work late. Or those long years of semi neglect because Silva was busy building his empire and there was no one there at home to look after him. Nor would he forget those harsh and terrible taunts he received at school from the other ignorant peers.
Could he even remember her face? It had been so long ago.
"Killua-sama?" Killua snapped out of his miseries. It seemed that the maid had been calling for a while now for a look of concern was clearly flashing in her large brown eyes. He nodded at her, giving her permission to retreat and breathed in deeply.
Time to take up the paper and forget those terrible days.
And did that paper cheer him up! What juicy gossip!
He became alerted to the location where all the fuss started and his mind ticked like clockwork. It sounded very much like the place that Gon and the others had decided to visit after the shooting last night. They'd probably have the *real* story of what when on. Grinning like a little devil, he leapt out of his seat, leaving his breakfast untouched and raced for the door.
The maid poked her head around the corner at the sudden noise and flinched
as she heard the loud slam of the front door. "Killua-sama?" Sighing with
worry, the maid Jenny marked down Killua's miserable deliberations of his
past and reminded herself to pass on the information to Silva.